Dharavi’s
Mumbai: Residents of Dharavi who own upper-floor tenements purchased before November 15, 2022, will soon be eligible for 300-square-foot apartments in other parts of Mumbai on a hire-purchase basis. According to a government resolution (GR) issued by the housing department, these residents will pay a nominal monthly rent for 25 years, after which ownership of the flats will be transferred to them.
Traditionally, residents of upper-floor structures in slum areas have been considered illegal and excluded from slum rehabilitation schemes. However, this new initiative seeks to address their housing needs.
Dharavi, sprawling across 600 acres and recognized as one of Asia’s largest slums, is undergoing redevelopment by Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Limited (DRPPL). The Adani Group holds an 80% stake in DRPPL, while the remaining share belongs to the state government. As per earlier government announcements, only Dharavi residents owning ground-floor tenements before January 1, 2000, are eligible for in-situ rehabilitation. Residents who fail to meet this criterion are to be relocated to housing units elsewhere in Mumbai.
The January 1, 2000, eligibility cut-off applies across all slum rehabilitation projects in Mumbai. Residents occupying units post this date must pay ₹2.5 lakh upfront to qualify for rehabilitation. However, the GR issued on October 4 clarified that Dharavi residents classified as ineligible would not need to make any upfront payment.
To qualify for relocation under the revised terms, residents must provide proof of owning upper-floor tenements prior to November 15, 2022. They will have the option to either pay a nominal rent for 25 years or make a one-time payment during this period to gain ownership of the new flats. Details regarding rental costs and purchase prices for these apartments are yet to be finalized.
The DRPPL will oversee the maintenance of these buildings for the first 10 years. To accommodate ineligible residents, the state government has earmarked 542.25 acres at various locations in Mumbai, including 125 acres at the Deonar dumping ground, 256 acres of salt pan land in Mulund and Kanjurmarg, 21.25 acres of Kurla Dairy land, and 140 acres in Madh Island.
A comprehensive survey to determine eligible and ineligible residents, as well as commercial structures in Dharavi, began on March 18 and is ongoing. Survey teams have numbered approximately 60,000 tenements, with surveys completed for 25,000 of them, according to DRPPL sources.
A previous survey conducted in 2007-08 identified 49,643 tenements, including 39,208 residential units and 10,435 commercial establishments. Since then, the number of tenements in Dharavi has grown significantly, observers note. Redevelopment efforts have so far resulted in 9,522 upgraded units, comprising 6,981 residential and 2,541 commercial spaces.
This initiative marks a significant shift in Mumbai’s slum rehabilitation approach, aiming to provide a fair housing solution for previously excluded residents.
Chirag Singh is a content writer with a focus on real estate, covering topics like News, Guidance, Tips, Property trends and Investments. He has written for various platforms, providing helpful insights to readers. With a background in real estate, Chirag combines his knowledge and passion for real estate in his work. He enjoys staying updated on the latest industry trends.
